Monday 6 December 2010

Big Break-er

A couple of weeks ago I got a very exciting (to me anyway) commission to paint the illustration for the tin of a new collection of Derwent water soluble pencils.  I got the nod today that it has been accepted and will go ahead, together with a tutorial on 'how I done it'. 

This is not the painting that will appear on the tin, it is a totally different one using just water colours, no pencils. Whilst I really enjoyed the paid commission, it was quite tricky to get a loose flowing effect using pencils, so I had to have a go afterwards with just paint  for my own enjoyment.  There is still a lot of work to be done on this, but it is so exciting to be able to work in a free fashion after months of highly detailed pet portraits. Commissions are very much a double edged sword - it is a dream come true to get paid for doing what I love most in the world, but on the other hand, you have to do what your customers want, and if that means a steady stream of dogs, cats and horses then so be it. I'm certainly not complaining, just savouring the opportunity to do something completely different.

Due to the snow, the Christmas Fair at Tavistock Infant School  was cancelled last Friday but has been re-scheduled for this Wednesday, 8th December at 2.45.  Let us hope nothing dire happens this week!

5 comments:

Laura Sparling said...

Wow! How brilliant is that? Huge congratulations to you, Caroline.

The wave is beautiful - I look forward to seeing the pencil one.

Nunt said...

Oh my, what wonderful news about the Derwent tin! I've been a slacker on the commenting front, I started a new job and commuting makes my days about 10 hour long every day... I just eat and fall into bed.

I hear you about commissions. Before last xmas I made too many knitted commissions and had no desire to knit for MONTHS afterwards. It is just no fun to do what other people want especially when you basically get paid peanuts.

Magpie Magic said...

Wow! Looks already great. Can't wait to see it finished. I am so pleased Derwent were happy with the commissioned piece, not that I doubted it for a minute. It's fab! xoxox

Sue Doran said...

This is marvellous news! Congrats. I love tins, I buy Derwent pencils myself (I don't use them, I can't really draw or paint though I like to try from time to time - I just really like owning them, especially cos they're in a tin - I'm very strange!) I can't wait to buy some with your illustration on it.

natural attrill said...

Oh WOW, that wave is BEAUTIFUL!
penny.
x